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News archive: NASA Langley Research Center

Every Bulletin story and press release covering NASA Langley Research Center, newest first.

Whole archive

14 items

20 February 2025

GE uses exascale supercomputers for Open Fan engine

Access to Frontier and Aurora supercomputers has enhanced simulations for next-generation jet engine designs and fuel efficiency improvements.

13 November 2024 The X-59 is a one-of-a-kind test aircraft designed to achieve quiet supersonic flight and transform future commercial air travel.

X-59's engine fires up for last major ground test

Following these successful engine runs, the X-59 will be evaluated for electromagnetic interference effects, simulated in-flight failure modes and validation of the emergency power system.

18 January 2024 Fresh out of Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works.

NASA reveals the X-59 noise-reduction X-Plane

Years of research, development and production of this one-of-a-kind technology demonstrator aircraft should reduce the loudness of sonic booms to a gentle thump.

4 May 2022 An illustration of an advanced subsonic aircraft with an Electrified Aircraft Propulsion system. Photo: NASA.

AeroTEC to build demonstrator for NASA's electric project

Through magniX the NASA program aims to demonstrate electric propulsion technology to power a hybrid De Havilland Canada Dash 7 aircraft, with first flight planned for 2025.

25 November 2021 A view of the X-59 being supported by ground supports in preparation for installation of the landing gear and other hardware required for structural testing.

Supersonic X-59 enters final assembly phase

Removed from its jig, the X-59 is ready for final assembly including the first power-on of the aircraft to test its internal systems. The first flight is planned for 2022.

7 October 2021 NASA illustration of an advanced subsonic aircraft with an Electrified Aircraft Propulsion system.

NASA selects EPFD partners as it aims for 2035

NASA has chosen GE Aviation and MagniX as partners to support its electric powertrain flight demonstration. Each company will be awarded a share of $253.4 million for the work over the next five years.

29 September 2021 During the testing the X-59 will fly at supersonic speeds over communities as part of the low boom flight demonstration. NASA will then gather community feedback to the noise of the quiet supersonic flight.

X-59 prepares for quiet supersonic flight testing

The Lockheed Martin X-59's nose design should allow for quiet supersonic flight, turning the usual sonic boom into a quiet sonic thump. The aircraft will be tested over residential areas and noise feedback will be collected.

28 July 2021 Blown lift efficiently turns the airflow downwards for ultra-short takeoffs.

NASA joins the push to test blown-lift technology

Current computational methods can predict some limited blown lift flow fields in three dimensions, but NASA's involvement will enable the fast, trusted, low-order methods needed to rapidly evaluate design choices.

1 July 2021 A HiDRON selfie over New Mexico.

Stratospheric glider achieves controlled flight over New Mexico

The balloon launched HiDRON stratospheric glider achieved controlled flight following a release from a sounding balloon at altitudes above 98,000ft, higher than the record setting SR-71 Blackbird.

13 May 2021 The X-59 is fitted with Quiet Supersonic Technologies (QueSST).

NASA's quiet supersonic research aircraft could fly in 2022

Innovative features on top of the X-59 wing should re-shape the shock wave pattern, substantially reducing the sonic boom to more of a sonic "thump" when it reaches the ground. Collins is onboard for the avionics.

18 March 2021 The CRM-QHL sits on the test section of NASA Langley’s 14x22 Subsonic Tunnel. Researchers used both sound-dampening methods and an array of microphones to test the noise emitted from the wing.

Langley targets the leading-edge for noise reduction

NASA built a 10%-scale version of the High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) to evaluate aircraft enhancements including low-noise slats, such as those constructed out of shape-memory alloys.

4 November 2020 Wind tunnel tests of the propeller designs are under way.

Props for first all-electric X-plane face the tunnel

The X-57 will be powered by twelve electric high-lift motors with propeller blades that fold away during cruise, emerging again for the landing phase. Wind tunnel testing has begun.

29 October 2020 The cockpit of the X-59 at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works factory in Palmdale.

X-59 assembly progresses despite pandemic challenges

Lockheed Martin is assembling the experimental aircraft for NASA in anticipation of its first flight some time in mid-2022, and is now turning its attention to the cockpit space.

9 September 2020 The F414-GE-100 engine, which will power NASA’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology X-plane (QueSST), is unboxed at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. (Photo: NASA Photo / Ken Ulbrich)

NASA takes delivery of GE jet engine for X-59

It may be based on the design of the Gripen's engine, but the F414-GE-39E is a whole brand-new engine birthed from raw metal. It will have longer duration missions at high altitude with high power.